Earth Rated Class Action: "Plant-Based" Dog Wipes Mislabeled

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims Earth Rated dog wipes are misleadingly labeled as "plant-based" despite containing synthetic ingredients.

Consumers Affected: Consumers who purchased Earth Rated "plant-based" dog wipes.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Earth Rated “plant-based” dog wipes contain synthetic and highly processed ingredients like citric acid, caprylyl glycol, and propylene glycol, contradicting the company’s plant-based labeling, a new lawsuit alleges.

9199-4467 Québec Inc., which owns the brand, is accused of violating state and local laws in the marketing of the wipes, with the lawsuit alleging its misrepresentation takes advantage of consumers’ desire for truly plant-based products while unfairly disadvantaging competitors who accurately label their products.

Earth Rated Dog Wipes Contain Synthetic Ingredients, Lawsuit Claims

Marat Martirosyan filed the proposed class action lawsuit after he purchased the Earth Rated wipes in July at a Petco in Los Angeles, relying on the prominent “Plant-Based” label, the lawsuit claims. After learning the wipes contained non-plant-based ingredients, he says he wouldn’t have purchased them or would have paid a lower price if the packaging had been truthful.

Martirosyan said he wants to buy a truly plant-based pet wipe for his dog, and that Earth Rated’s misleading advertising has left him unable to trust the product.

Consumers Seek Plant-Based Products, Lawsuit Says

The lawsuit highlights how companies are increasingly tapping into the demand for plant-based and natural products. Consumers are drawn to these items for various reasons, including perceived health benefits, environmental sustainability, and support for ethical labor practices.

Instead of meeting these expectations, the lawsuit claims Earth Rated “greenwashed” its dog wipes, creating the illusion of a natural product while using synthetic and highly processed ingredients. Such tactics allegedly violate Federal Trade Commission guidelines on environmental marketing and mislead consumers seeking authentic plant-based options.

Other Wipe Companies Face Legal Challenges

This isn’t the first time wipes have come under legal scrutiny. Recently, Dude Wipes faced a lawsuit from Charleston, South Carolina’s water authority over claims that their “flushable” wipes are causing widespread damage to sewer systems.

Despite being marketed as safe to flush, wipes like these don’t disintegrate like toilet paper, leading to clogs, sewer spills, and billions of dollars in repairs. Charleston officials argue that false marketing encourages consumers to misuse the product, exacerbating environmental and infrastructure issues.

Similarly, Earth Rated faces accusations of misleading consumers, though its case revolves around the growing demand for eco-friendly and plant-based goods. The cases highlight the need for stricter oversight and transparency in product labeling in the industry.

In his class action lawsuit against 9199-4467 Québec Inc., Martirosyan wants to represent people from across the country who have purchased the Earth Rated “plant-based” dog wipes. He is suing for alleged violations of California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act, Unfair Competition Law, False Advertising Law, Breach of Express Warranty, and Unjust Enrichment.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Martirosyan v 9199-4467 Québec Inc.D/B/A Earth Rated
• Case Number: 2:24-cv-09557 
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Valter Malkhasyan and Erik Pogosyan (Malk & Pogo Law Group, LLP)

Do you use Earth Rated dog wipes? What are your thoughts on this lawsuit? Share your opinion in the comments below.